Root Your Nook Color in 5 Easy Steps

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So you've heard that you can jailbreak your Nook and make it a full-scale android tablet. Well, you've heard right. First you have to buy one; the good news is there's a Barnes and Noble coupon code that can get you a hefty discount. Once you get the Nook you only need a few other things to root your system:

A 128 MB MicroSD card

A computer with a USB port and ability to read/write MicroSD cards

A WiFi connection for your Nook

A Gmail or YouTube linked account

A program to write disk images

Once you've got all of these things together, it's time to take your Nook from books to beast. BUT, and this is a big but, before you do it you have to complete the Barnes & Noble registration process. If you don't, you won't be able to use your Nook to purchase books from them.

How to Root the System

Step 1 : Auto-Nooter is the program that you need for this process. Download the Auto-Nooter system image file that is appropriate for your Nook firmware version.

Users with the 1.0.0 firmware will need Auto-Nooter 2.12.15.

Users with the 1.0.1 firmware will need Auto-Nooter 2.12.25.

Users with the 1.1 firmware will need Auto-Nooter 3.0.

Users with the 1.2 or 1.3 firmware will need HoneyComb

Step 2 : Take the version of Auto-Nooter that you downloaded and write it to a MicroSD card. Do not simply copy it, this will not transfer an important component over to the MicroSD. Use Win32 Disk Imager or the DD command to achieve this.

Step 3 : Power down your Nook and insert the MicroSD card in the card slot. The slot is located under the back storage flap.

Step 4 : Turn the Nook back on.

Step 5 : The Nook will load with a black screen and stay this way for several minutes. Don't panic. This is a normal thing while Auto-Nooter loads. When Auto-Nooter is done, it will reboot the system.

Initial Re-boot

When the Nook reboots it will load the regular splash screen followed by a new DEVS animation. You can now remove the MicroSD card; it won't be needed again. Your Nook will finally come to rest on a screen that says LogicPD Zoom 2. Skip the screen instructions (they are for system builders) and go directly to the Google Account setup page.
Because this root bypasses the majority of system controls, the account configuration doesn't work properly, so you have to register through the YouTube application. Access YouTube through the extras menu. Open the My Channel option to access your account.

Software

Auto-Nooter includes the Softkeys program. This will add touchscreen buttons to the display to allow you to compensate for the single interface button on the Nook. Auto-Nooter also installs Android Market, Busybox shell, Android calendar, calculator and e-mail client. Since you aren't going to be using your Nook for just books anymore, you should download Launcher Pro as a new graphic interface and the Dolphin HD Web browser.
If you have problems with this root, visit XDA Developers and visit the forums or the Quinxy von Besiex page on NOOK modding FAQs

BIO:
Ken Sleight is a freelance writer and tech blogger currently working on a full dissection of the New iPad. When he isn't knee-deep in computer parts, he can be found posting various green living tips on his HubPage.

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